Folding table, tennis table, or the like



July 14, 1953 D. T. THOMPSON FOLDING TABLE, TENNIS TABLE OR THE LIKE Filed May 6, 1950 INVENTOR. 0mm [film/ 50M EWM fitter/way Patented July 14, 1953 OFFICE FOLDING TABLE, TENNIS TABLE, OR THE LIKE Daniel T. Thompson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 6, 1950, Serial No. 160,550

This invention relates to a folding table. While it can be used for any desired purpose, it is particularly adapted for use as a table tennis or ping pong table which is relatively large and ordinarily takes up considerable space.

Objects of the invention are: to provide a folding or collapsible table which can be quickly and easily changed from its collapsed to its normal set-up position, and vice versa, and which when collapsed can be readily moved and stored in a small space; to provide a folding table with asectional top, wherein the line of division of the sections does not interfere with its use as a game table for table tennis or the like; and to provide a structure having a wheeled base to facilitate moving thereof, yet which can be set up to pro- 3 Claims. (01. 311-92) duce a rigid and relatively stationary structure when in use.

The above and other objects and advantages will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the table in its normal position of use.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the table in its folded or collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the guideway showing the guide follower and locking device in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a section taken approximately on the line IVIV of Fig. 2, the scale being somewhat enlarged.

Fig. 5 is a section taken approximately on the line VV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner of the table top and the upper portion of a leg, the latter being shown in alternate positions in full and broken lines.

The table includes a top 8 divided at H) to provide complementary sections 12 which preferably are of equal size. The table top 8 includes side rails l4 and end rails I6. At each end of each side rail [4 is a leg l8 which is pivotally connected to the side rail by means of a pivot pin 20. The legs l8 lie inside of their respective side rails.

The top sections l2 are connected by hinges 22. The hinges permit the upper faces of the the top sections l2 to swing together. Each of the hinges 22 has a pintle 24 which extends beyond the edge of the top 8 and is provided with a roller 26, said roller comprising a follower for a guideway to be described below.

Extending transversely beneath the table top 8 is a base 28 supported by caster 30. Secured to each end of the base 28 by means of a plate 32 is a vertical guideway 34. This guideway, as viewed in Fig. 4, has three closed sides 33 and a fourth side 38 which is provided with a vertical slot 40. The guideway is provided with a top plate 42 having a pair of headed rivets M secured thereto and extending a short distance thereabove. The rivets 44 are adapted to be received in keyhole openings 46 which are formed in the horizontal portions 48 of table tennis net brackets 50.

The rollers 25 on the hinged pintles 24 are located in the guideways 34, the slot 45 in each guideway being smaller than the roller and of sufficient size to admit the hinged pintle 2d.

At the top of each guideway is a catch 50 which extends through an opening 52 in one of the side walls 36 of the guideway. The catch 50 is carried by a leaf spring 54 which has a knob 55 thereon. The catch lies beneath the roller 26 when the table is set up and can be withdrawn by means of the knob 56 when the table is collapsed. The under side of the catch 56- is slanted as at 5! so that when the roller 26 is moved upwardly, it will snap past the catch and be automatically held thereby after it passes above the catch to the position of Fig. 3.

The structure is provided with four diagonal braces 58 whose lower ends are pivotally connected at 60 to the base 28 and whose upper ends are pivotally connected at 62 to the table top side rails I4. The pivots 60 are spaced apart a substantial distance longitudinally of the table, the distance being considerably greater than the over-all thicknesses of the two collapsed top sections, as indicated in Fig. 2. The upper pivots 62 which join the braces 58 to the side rails M are spaced longitudinally of the table a distance considerably greater than the spacing of the pivoted lower ends of the braces 58. The distance from the table top transverse line of division I0 to the upper brace pivots 62 is slightly shorter than the length of the braces 58. As a result, said braces 58 support the table top sections when the table is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 2. The weight of the table top sections on the braces 58 thus the spread of the lower ends of said braces will normally maintain the structure in its collapsed position, yet will permit the device to be easily set up.

When the table is collapsed from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2, the catches 50 at the top of each guideway 34 are released. Thereupon the adjacent hinged edges of the table top can be pushed downwardly, the follower rollers moving downwardly in the vertical guideways 54. The table top sections I2 will swing aboutthe pivots 62 which connect them to the braces 58 and as the rollers 26 move downwardly in the guideways 36, the top sections 12 will swing together. 7

The braces 58 are on the outer sides of their respective table top side rails l4 and the legs l8 are on the inner sides of said sid rails and consequently the structure can be folded or collapsed in a compact manner and the braces and legs will not interfere with each other.

If desired, the vertical roller guideways 34 canbe strengthened by braces 64 which extend from the base 28 to the upper portions of said guideways 34. However, if the guideways are made sufiiciently strong, the braces -64' may be dis-' pensed with.

The net brackets 50 are disposed somewhatoutwardly relative to the outer sides of the guide- Ways 34, thus placing them in such positions that they will not interfere with the structure when it is collapsed. By reason of this fact,'a net 06 can be left in position if desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes can be made in the specific structure without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a folding table, a top having a pair of substantially equally sized sections, the sections being joined by a hinge whose axis lies transversely of the top, a base member supporting the table on the floor when th table is collapsed, an upright extending between the base and the top at a point adjacent the hinged connection and releasably engageable with the top, legs supporting the outer end portions of the top, a pair of braces pivotally connected to the base member at points spaced longitudinally of the table, said braces diverging upwardly from the base and having fixed pivotal connections respectively with each of the top sections at points intermediate the hinge and the outer ends of the top sections, to provide approximately balanced support for the sections when they are collapsed toward each other.

2. The structure in claim 1, and said braces,

when the table is collapsed, being of such length as to suspend the top sections out of contact with the base member and the floor.

3. In a folding table, a top divided transversely to provide a pair of sections, a hinged connection betweensaid sections, a transverse frame unit including a base and a member extending upwardly therefrom to a point adjacent the division of said top, said upwardly extending member comprising a guideway, a follower connected to said top at said point of division and vertically movable in said guideway to permit the topsections to be collapsed and set up, legs extending downwardly from the ends of the top,

I braces pivotally connected to the top sections at points spaced from the division of said top, said braces being pivotally connected to said base at points spaced wider than the combined thicknesses of the topsections when said sections are collapsed, and the braces, in the collapsed position of the sections, supporting the weight of their respective sections and, by reason of their spaced base connections, causing the top sections to be held together firmly in said collapsed position. v V V DANIEL T. THOMPSON.

Klyce Sept. 25, 1951 

